Dedicated by Anna and Sol Zuckerman and Family

Th e Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School Th e Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolTh e Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School Th e Henrietta Scheck Middle School

Volume 3 Issue 2November/December 2010Cheshvan/Kislev 5771

learning for a lifetime

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Compassion and community begin early at Hillel. Upon learning about being thankful this November, Early Childhood students came to school with food to donate to the Kosher Food Bank for Thanksgiving.

One by one, each student put their canned goods in bags to brighten the holiday tables of Jewish families in need. From pre-kindergarten through Upper School, concepts like volunteerism, community involvement and tzedakah are infused throughout the lessons of a Hillel school day.

“Community awareness is embedded in Hillel’s Early Childhood curriculum,” said Valerie Lustgarten, Lower School Assistant Principal, “Our children learn about the Hillel value of tikkun olam – repairing the world. They pick up after themselves, plant fl owers on campus, help keep their environments in order, collaborate with their peers - be it on a project or tying each other’s shoe laces.”

Community service is actually part of Hillel’s schoolwide academic program, with grade-level requirements of number of hours served increasing every year. Schoolwide outreach has brought students, parents, faculty and organizations together to create awareness on and off the Hillel campus. Members of the Upper School Chessed Club partnered with Grade 1 to create Thanksgiving cards that students delivered to a homeless shelter. Upper School students also mentored Grade 8 students on a visit to a senior citizen home, singing Chanukah songs and sharing activities.

Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) recently visited Hillel to educate students about its programs.

ECE students collect food for the Kosher Food Bank.

Lessons of Chessed and Community Begin Early at HillelAs a result, students in Grades 5-8

promoted a Chanukah collection of toys, later delivered to JAFCO children by Upper School.

At Hillel’s Chanukah Community Event, families wrapped up festivities by collecting more than 300 toys through event admission. Bringing JAFCO to Hillel was arranged by Student Council. They also arranged a campus blood drive, collecting more than 57 pints from 80 Upper School students and faculty as well as tour of the Kosher Food Bank before an Upper School leadership training Shabbaton.

This year, collection tubs are stationed throughout campus for monthly donation drives benefi ting the Jewish Community Services’ Kids for Kosher Food Bank. Hillel parent Anat Garzon arranged this project to create awareness and to strengthen the program that monthly helps nearly 300 families.

“Being involved makes our students better community members,” said Josh Spodek, Hillel’s Director of Student Life.

As an example, he refl ects on Hillel’s partnership with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which recruits students for various events. Through Federation, Hillel students recently earned service hours helping to prepare baskets for new mothers and ushering at a community lecture.

“Federation – and so many other local and national organizations – know they can count on Hillel for their programs,” Spodek said. “We truly are a community school with students involved as leaders of meaningful philanthropic programs and initiatives.”

Upper School students mentor Middle School students on a trip to visit senior citizens before Thanksgiving.

Hillel students and faculty shared a Sunday afternoon to expand their Jewish education at Global Learning Day, made possible by the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education, Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami.

BOARD OF GOVERNORSChairman Jorge WoldenbergVice-Chairman David Wolf*Treasurer Carlos BernerSecretary Michelle Amselem*HIP/PTA President Dr. Michele Scheck

Sara BejarUri Benhamron Gil J. BonwittHelen BroideMax FischbachRossana FrancoJeffrey GilbertDr. Jan HockmanFrank KrigerMatt Kuttler*Anita Lapco

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIONHead of School Dr. Adam C. HoldenRabbinic Head Rabbi Chaim Albert Principal, Lower School Debra AbolafiaPrincipal, Grades 6-12 Nick HinrichsenDirector, Nativ Carole Repensek, Ed.D.Assistant Principal, Lower School Valerie LustgartenAssistant Principal, Lower School Tara SolomianyAssistant Principal, Grades 6-12 Joshua Meisels

Sherri LebwohlMayra LichterRabbi Avrohom LipszycGary Mars*Joanne PapirMarty Scheck*Dana Yemin Schrager*Mike ShalomSami Shiro

*Hillel alumnus/a

ABOUT HILLELFrom early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel is a Jewish community day school structured to cultivate and inspire students and to prepare them for college admission. Through meaningful religious and cultural experiences, Hillel strives to deepen students’ commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people and Israel.

ACCREDITATIONHillel is a beneficiary agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and is accredited by: Commission on International-Regional Accreditation, National Council for Private School Accreditation, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Association of Independent Schools of Florida and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Hillel is affiliated with: Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, National Association of College Admission Counseling, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Broward County and Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education.

KOL HILLELThe Kol Hillel is a bimonthly publication of The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School/The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School, 19000 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180, P: 305.931.2831.

For Kol Hillel sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diana Mundlak, (305.931.2831 x279/mundlak@hillel-nmb.net)

For submissions or information, please email Jane Yaffe at plainjanegraphics@gmail.com.

2 KOL HILLEL

DVAR TORAHBy Rabbi Chaim AlbertRabbinic Head

Congratulations to Michele Scheck and Daphna Bentata who won the second quarter parking raffle. Tickets are on sale through January 20 for the third quarter. Winners can park in the principal’s parking spot for the entire quarter. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Tickets are available in Debra Abolafia’s and Nick Hinrichsen’s offices, the development office or through a HIP/PTA volunteer.

“Olam Chessed Yibaneh” (Tehillim 89:3)-the entire world is built on kindness. This statement goes a long way to emphasize the importance of chessed, kindness. Was this just an exaggerated statement to create a strong impact, or is chessed truly the single most important force in this world?

A fascinating story in the Torah tells us about Abraham and the destruction of Sedom and Gemora. Chazal teach us that these cities were morally corrupt, and the worst thing they did was create an anti-hospitality policy. Guests were not allowed in the cities, and they tried to kill Lot for allowing guests into his home. Moreover, the Torah tells us that the Jewish people wanted to pass through the land of Moav to continue their journey to the Promised Land. We asked them graciously and posed no threat, yet Moav denied our peaceful passage. As a result of their aversion to chessed, a Halacha says that no Jew is allowed to marry someone from Moav.

We see from these stories that chessed cannot be viewed as a nice thing to do; rather chessed is the very core of what makes our Torah special. Abraham built the Jewish legacy on his kindness to guests and strangers. The Talmud tells us that Jewish people are innately merciful, modest and kind. Studies show that Jewish people give more charity proportionately than any other people; current events reveal that Israel has provided more aid and crisis relief than most countries 10 times its size.

The second core value of our school is chessed. Hillel teachers constantly emphasize the responsibilities to help a friend, to pick someone up when he or she is down, to be thoughtful of the needs of others and to create an environment of kindness. The next time an opportunity arises to help someone, don’t look at it as a nice thing to do. Instead please internalize that this is exactly what makes us special.

Raffle Winners Named! Tickets on Sale for Third Quarter

Hillel Upper School students soon will launch a new school newspaper, The Hillel Quarterly. Under the leadership of co-editors Benjamin Gilinski and Myles Wolfe, the newspaper will feature school and world news, commentary, sports and features. Staff members include managing editor Nicole Marder, news editor Ben Rose, op-ed editor Ari Givner, features editor Shani Azizollahoff and sports editor Clara Bendayan.

Beyond newspaper, students also are writing stories that appear on the school’s Web site. Web journalists include Yael Herman, Margot Romano, Yuval Schneider and Jessica Waissman. Students interested in writing for the site should contact Seth Dimbert, Hillel’s educational technology specialist (dimbert@hillel-nmb.net).

Students Launch Newspaper, Write Web Stories

“Gap Year is a once in a lifetime experience. I can

take everything I learned at Hillel and bring it to Israel.”

Estee Lichy, Grade 12

KOL HILLEL 3

A ROLE MODEL

YONATAN BONAN

A first step for students to become involved in the community is to open the service guide created by Hillel junior Yoni Bonan.

The perfect candidate to author such a book, Bonan has dedicated more than 1300 hours to helping others since entering Upper School three years ago.

“I decided to create this guide because of the impact community service has had in my life,” Bonan said.

Students can flip through this book to discover community service opportunities available in South Florida. This project took a year and a half to gather and publish all the information. Page after page lists organizations, contacts, phone numbers and addresses all categorized by type of service. It couldn’t get any easier to give time to others.

Helping others, Bonan said, is not only a way to do good deeds, but to build character. “I hope my book inspires others to make a difference.”

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, who am I? And if not now, when?” - Pirke Avot 1:14

“We are very fortunate yet there are many less fortunate people in the world we can help.” he said. “If not us, then who?”

As community service representative for student government, Bonan has organized events like the blood drive, a visit from the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) and a drive to collect baby toiletries for families at the Kosher Food Bank. He recently collected more than 1000 signatures as a representative of AIPAC to oppose Iran’s nuclear program.

Yoni has volunteered at so many organizations but his most memorable efforts were at the Special Olympics and Exceptional Theatre Company.

During winter break, Bonan planned to travel to New Orleans on a Young Judea program to help with the rebuilding of its community.

“Through the Torah, you learn about helping others. We are blessed yet some people can’t even afford food for Shabbat,” Bonan said. “I have learned at Hillel the importance of chessed, tzedakah and helping others.”

Student Publishes Community Service Guide to Inspire Others

Hillel’s road to college features the latest technology to track applications, acceptances and career choices. It also encourages Gap Year, when students hold stateside college for one year to experience learning in Israel.

While applying to colleges, students have the option to enroll in a Gap Year. Representatives from more than 20 programs have met with Hillel students to provide information about their programs.

Hillel senior Estee Lichy will attend Young Judea’s Gap Year and earn 30 college credits in the nine-month program. “Gap Year is a once in a lifetime experience. I can take everything I learned at Hillel and bring it to Israel,” said Lichy, who will take classes, complete internships and travel to three countries as a volunteer.

When senior Taylor Cohen graduates in the spring, she will attend Seminary Yeshiva for Girls in Jerusalem. “I wanted a religious Israel experience,” said Cohen, whose sister Stephanie graduated from Hillel in 2008 and attended Hebrew University for one year before starting university in the United States. “I will continue what I have been learning at Hillel in Jerusalem.”

Gap Year gives students a chance to move beyond the structure of high school and spend some time focusing on self-discovery before starting college, said Linda Feigenbaum, Hillel’s Director of School Counseling.

“It’s a great time for students to find out who they are in relation to their Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people, ” she added.

Hillel’s college application process has become more advanced with the guidance of college counselors starting as young as Grade 8, and

Naviance, one of the most comprehensive college and career planning resources offered today. Through Naviance, students can track every aspect of the application process online, take SAT and ACT prep classes and map out colleges that apply to career goals.

“There is nothing more advanced or sophisticated than Naviance,” said Dr. Allan Wolf, Hillel’s Director of College Counseling. It has incorporated every tool a student needs to measure their college application and admission process.

Naviance is used by more than 700 colleges and universities all over the country, allowing students and parents to chart acceptances over the last five years, monitor applications, review test scores, acceptance status and recommendations.

Wolf said through technology, programs and experts, Hillel provides students every advantage in the college application process.

Gap Year and Naviance: Seniors Choose College Path

Students Launch Newspaper, Write Web Stories

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Scene at Hillel

Families, students, teachers and friends came together at FIU North on October 21 to celebrate Hillel’s Homecoming Community Event. Fans packed the stadium and cheered the Hurricanes as they defeated the Boca Christian Blazers 41-0 to cap the best season in the football program’s history.

Homecoming Community Event Packs Stadium

Lower School Performs for Thanksgiving

KOL HILLEL 5

Scene at Hillel

Lower School Performs for Thanksgiving

Amid the Israeli dancing, hot chocolate and dreidel spinning, more than 600 members of the Hillel community stood together to say the blessings and light the school’s 10-foot tall menorah at the Chanukah Community event. While the evening was fi lled with activities and celebration - the Miami Heat Extreme Dunk Team, petting zoo and Shlock Rock concert - families donated more than 300 toys for JAFCO.

Ruach Lights up Chanukah Event

2011 Annual Event Corporate Giving

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HAKOTELThe Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Michelle and Bob DienerRaquel and Jaime Gilinski

Tammy and Jorge Woldenberg

HATIKVAHThe Scheck/Bonwitt Families

KINNERET

Raphael and Flavia AdesSara and David BejarNava and Mike Izak

Ori and Jacob SerfatiCarol and Mike Shalom

Yvette and Idel WoldenbergIvette and Joseph Woldenberg

MASSADAAnonymous (2)

Dalia and Steve Berman Charitable Trust Debora and Flavio Hojda Rebecca and Frank KrigerAlissa and Emilio RomanoDana and Joshua Schrager

Deborah and David Waxman

*At press time, December 7, 2010

Hillel is honored to recognize those who support the school with charitable gifts to the Annual Campaign. Ma’ayan Society members for 2010-2011 follow.* Thank you! Students enjoyed buying gifts for their family and friends at

the HIP/PTA Chanukah boutique. Special thanks to event chairs Leanne Cohen, Debra Hojda and Bettina Strimber.

HIP/PTA also sponsored a Lower School Art Project fundraiser, which showcased student artwork and taught the joy of giving for the holidays, said Michele Scheck, HIP/PTA president. Thanks to event chairs Jonathan Morse and Malka Rodrig. Students created artwork that was transformed into mugs, mouse pads and water bottles. Both events raised more than $6000.

Coming in the spring are the Guardian of Learning Event and Mischloach Manot Exchange.

Students Enjoy Boutique, Art Project

The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day SchoolThe Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary SchoolThe Henrietta Scheck Middle School

2011 annual

event

2011 Annual Event Family Philanthropy

NADIVIM/PHILANTHROPISTS

Yonatan and Diana BursztynDavid and Deborah Waxman

Anonymous

MANHEEGIM/LEADERSPeter and Silvie Dreyfuss

Robert and Lorena LechterIsaac and Susy Mendal

CHAYALIM/SOLDIERSJoe and Yael Ackerman

Dr. Shalom and Michelle AmselemRaquel and David Bendayan

Max and Ruthy BenolielAriel and Daphna Bentata

Gil and Elise BonwittDr. Raul and Dr. Janet Mitrani

Ilan and Lilian SredniYizhak and Liat ToledanoEittan and Inbal Vainstein

Dr. Joseph and Jaya ZebedeAnonymous

*At press time, December 7, 2010

Hyman, Spector and Mars LLP

Ad JournalCelebrating 40!

Special Section in Recognition ofPast Chairmen

Ellis Sinyor, Rafael Russ and Gil J. Bonwitt

40yearsOur past . Our present . Our future.

Wednesday January 12, 2011 7:30 pm

Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus20350 NE 26th Avenue, North Miami Beach

Keynote SpeakerWayne L. Firestone

CEO/President, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

2011 Annual Event Corporate Giving

KOL HILLEL 7

SPORTS ROUNDUP The first season of Hillel sports ended with teams reaching new goals.Hillel’s Middle School girls volleyball team closed with a perfect season, 3-0. Team members include Sarah Angress, Sarah Fiske, Tali Zighebolm, Dalit Merenfeld, Nikki Scheck and Dani Scheck, coached by Hillel Athletic Director Cindy Lyon.

Varsity golf ended 5-0, with golfers Elon Rubin, Ari Feldman, Nicolas Wabnik and Michael Ginzburg. Cross country has added Grade 8 students Tali Zighelboim, Danielle Chackman and Talia Korn. Dana Wasserman finished fourth in the last meet. Sean Cohen led with a time of only a minute over the first place winner.

Girl’s varsity volleyball finished the season with a 2-5 record. Senior standouts were Rikki Greenspan, Jade Wollschlaeger, Melissa Lanes and Sabrina Zarco. Varsity football ended the season 5-1, defeating Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High, David Posnack, Ransom Everglades, Sheridan Hills and Boca Christian.

Hillel recently hosted a fencing tournament when Benjamin Givner came in first place, and Jonathan Woldenberg came in second place. In both Y-14 and Cadet Sabre, Ariel Croitoru and Daniel Givner shared first; Ari Givner ranked first in open Sabre.

More then 40 Lower School students are practicing for the May production of Cinderella Kids. The students are very excited about the show, said Sophie Sherman, who is directing with Ann Sweet. The cast led by Lower School faculty includes students in Grades 2-5 and two students from Grade 6.

Middle School students will perform High School Musical 2, Jr, under the direction of Hillel music teacher Dionne Lockett. The show will run February 2-5.

Upper School students will perform Fools, a comedy by Neil Simon which will debut over April Fool’s weekend. The play will be directed by Don Stansfield, Hillel’s Grade 6-12 drama teacher.

Thirteen Hillel students received recognition as AP Scholars this month and two were named National Hispanic Scholars.

AP Scholar awards are part of CollegeBoard, presented to students who achieve a three or higher on three or more AP exams. Alexandra Dreyfuss earned the AP Scholar with Distinction award, scoring a three or higher on five or more AP exams.

The AP Scholar with Honor Award, presented to students who receive at least a three on four or more AP exams, was awarded to Itai Bleiberg, Michael Ginzburg, Joshua Kleiman, Melissa Lanes and Judah Makover.

The title of AP Scholars, students who receive a three or higher on three or more AP exams, was given to Raquel Franco, Benjamin Gilinski, Ariel Ibgui, Jacob Mizraji, Benjamin Rose, Nathaniel Rubin and Myles Wolfe.

Dreyfuss and Melissa Lanes were named National Hispanic Scholars. Dreyfuss is also a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist.

The National Hispanic Scholars Program is part of CollegeBoard, which oversees National Merit Scholarship Program.

Being selected as a National Hispanic Scholar is “a significant achievement,” said Hillel school counselor, Lois Perlman. “It means that a student will stand out from other candidates when they submit their applications to colleges.” More than 200,000 stuents apply, with only 5,000 selected nationwide.

Senior Jade Wollschlaeger was selected to receive the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award for outstanding excellence in academics, athletics and community leadership. Wollschlaeger is one of 10 high school senior women selected to receive the award in the state of Florida. Jade was captain and MVP of Hillel’s girls varsity basketball and softball teams, captain of the varsity volleyball team and played varsity soccer. The Wendy’s High School Heisman program recognizes the achievements of

the nation’s top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom. Similar to the

collegiate Heisman Trophy, Wendy’s High School Heisman rewards outstanding students who not only outperform their competition in sports but strive for the highest standards of excellence in all that they do. Mazel tov!

Student Receives Heisman Award Hillel Students Named asAP, National Hispanic ScholarsStudents Enjoy

Boutique, Art Project

PERFORMING ARTS

Jade Wollschlaeger

Students Practice for Hillel Theatre

The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High SchoolThe Juda and Maria Diener Elementary School The Henrietta Scheck Middle School19000 NE 25th AvenueNorth Miami Beach, Florida 33180

Families toured the Hillel campus, Grade 8 students participated in Upper School activities and Grade 5 students got a taste of Middle School classes. It’s all part of moving up and sharing the Hillel experience.

Admissions Director Betty Salinas said the activities were designed to build relationships with students in all areas. Through a three-week period, Grade 8 students participated in Upper School programs highlighting academics, Judaics, extra-curricular activities and community.

Families who re-enroll by February 1, 2011, will lock-in current tuition and save. Re-enroll online through BackPack. Tuition assistance applications are available in the ‘Admissions’ section of the Hillel Web site. Hillel looks forward to the coming school year!

Gilinski Hillel Ambassadors lead parents and students on a tour of Upper School during Open House.

Grade 8 students experience community service as Hillel seniors lead them on a trip to visit senior citizens.

Creativity is sparked as Grade 8 students hand-paint t-shirts in an Upper School art class.

Moving Up! New Experiences Greet Students

IT’S TIME TO RE-ENROLL!As a thank you from school to home,Hillel families can lock-in this year’s tuition when re-enrolledby February 1, 2011.

IT’S EASY!Just visit the Hillel Web site. www.hillel-nmb.org